Canon 1D versus Fujifilm X-T20

The Canon EOS-1D and the Fujifilm X-T20 are two digital cameras that were announced, respectively,
in September 2001 and January 2017. The 1D is a DSLR, while the X-T20 is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera. The cameras are based on an APS-H (1D) and an APS-C sensor. The Canon has a resolution of 4.1 megapixel, whereas the Fujifilm provides 24 MP.

Body comparison

An illustration of the physical size and weight of the Canon 1D and the Fujifilm X-T20 is provided in the side-by-side display below. Three consecutive perspectives from the front, the top, and the back are presented. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter. You can also toggle the display to switch to a percentage comparison if you prefer that the measures are being expressed in relative terms (in this case, the camera on the left – the 1D – represents 100 percent across all the size and weight measures).

Body view (1D on the left)

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size,
the Fujifilm X-T20 is considerably smaller (60 percent) than the Canon 1D. Moreover, the X-T20 is substantially lighter (76 percent) than the 1D. It is worth mentioning in this context that the 1D is splash and dust resistant,
while the X-T20 does not feature any corresponding weather-sealing.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses
that both of these cameras require. A larger imaging sensor will tend to go along with bigger and heavier lenses, although exceptions exist.
You can find an overview of optics for the two cameras in the Canon EF Lens Catalog (1D) and the Fujinon X Lens Catalog (X-T20). Mirrorless cameras, such as the X-T20, have moreover the advantage that they can use many lenses from other systems via adapters, as they have a relatively short flange to focal plane distance.

The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the two cameras alongside
a broader set of comparators. If you want to switch the focus of the display and review another
camera pair, just select a new right or left comparator from among the camera models in the table.
Alternatively, you can also move across to the CAM-parator tool and
choose from the broad selection of possible comparisons there.

The listed prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The X-T20 was launched at a markedly lower price (by 86 percent) than the 1D, which puts it into a different market segment.
Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available.
Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting
and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be
found on the pre-owned market.

Sensor comparison

The size of the imaging sensor is a crucial determinant of image quality. A large sensor will generally have larger individual pixels that offer better low-light sensitivity, provide wider dynamic range, and have richer color depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Further, a large sensor camera will give the photographer additional creative options when using shallow depth-of-field to isolate a subject from its background. On the downside, larger sensors are more costly to manufacture and tent to lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Canon 1D features an APS-H sensor and the Fujifilm X-T20
an APS-C sensor. The sensor area in the X-T20 is 33 percent smaller. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 1.3 and 1.5. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

Sensor size

Despite having a smaller sensor, the X-T20 offers a higher
resolution of 24 megapixel, compared with 4.1 MP of the 1D.
This megapixel advantage comes at the cost of a higher pixel density and a smaller size of the individual pixel
(with a pixel pitch of 3.92μm versus 11.56μm for the 1D). However, it should be noted that the X-T20 is much more recent (by 15 years and 3 months) than the 1D, and its sensor
will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that make it possible to gather light more efficiently. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that the X-T20 has no anti-alias filter installed, so that it can capture all the detail its sensor resolves.

Sensor resolution

Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for most cameras. This service is based on lab testing and assigns an overall score to each camera sensor, as well as ratings for dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), color depth ("DXO Portrait"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"). The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of comparators.

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. The X-T20 indeed provides for movie recording, while the 1D does not. The highest resolution format that the X-T20 can use is 4K/30p.

Feature comparison

Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the X-T20 has an electronic viewfinder (2360k dots), while the 1D has an optical one.
Both systems have their advantages, with the electronic viewfinder making it possible to project supplementary shooting information
into the framing view, whereas the optical viewfinder offers lag-free viewing and a very clear framing image. The table below summarizes some of the other core capabilities of the Canon 1D and Fujifilm X-T20 in connection with corresponding information for a sample of similar cameras. If you need more detail on the specs, you can find comprehensive listings, for example, in the dpreview camera hub.

The X-T20 is a current model that online retailers, such as amazon, will have in stock.
In contrast, the 1D has been discontinued (but it can be found pre-owned on ebay). As a replacement in the same line of cameras, the 1D was succeeded by the Canon 1D Mark II.

Summary

So what conclusions can be drawn? Which of the two cameras – the Canon 1D or the Fujifilm X-T20 – has the upper hand? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.

Reasons to prefer the Canon EOS-1D:

Better moiré control: Has an anti-alias filter to avoid artificial patterns to appear in images.

Brighter framing: Features an optical viewfinder for clear, lag-free composition.

Easier setting verification: Has an LCD display on top to control shooting parameters.

More flexible LCD: Has a tilting screen for odd-angle shots in landscape orientation.

Fewer buttons to press: Has a touchscreen to facilitate handling and shooting adjustments.

More compact: Is smaller (118x83mm vs 156x158mm) and will fit more readily into a bag.

Less heavy: Has a lower weight (by 1202g or 76 percent) and is thus easier to take along.

More legacy lens friendly: Can use many non-native lenses via adapters.

Easier fill-in: Has a small integrated flash to brighten shadows of backlit subjects.

More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (86 percent cheaper at launch).

More modern: Reflects 15 years and 3 months of technical progress since the 1D launch.

If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the X-T20 is the clear winner of the contest (14 : 7 points). However, the relative importance of the various individual camera aspects will vary according to personal preferences and needs, so that you might like to apply corresponding weights to the particular features.

1D 07:14 X-T20

In any case, while the comparison of the spec-sheets of cameras can offer a general idea of their imaging potential, it says nothing about, for example, the handling, responsiveness, and overall imaging quality of the 1D and the X-T20 in practical situations. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate. This is where reviews by experts come in. The following table reports the overall rankings of the cameras as published by some of the major camera review sites. The detailed reviews can be accessed, respectively, on the websites of cameralabs.com, dpreview.com, ephotozine.com, imaging-resource.com, and photographyblog.com.

Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. A score, therefore, has to be seen in close connection to the price and market introduction time of the camera, and comparing ratings of very distinct cameras or ones that are far apart in terms of their release date have little meaning. Also, please note that some of the review sites have changed their methodology and reporting over time.

Other comparisons

If you would like to see a different side-by-side camera review, just make a corresponding selection in the search boxes below. An an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool. If you do not see the camera that you are looking for, please send me an email, and I will try to locate and add the respective data to the application.